I just found another great site in Germany:
http://www.stschmid.de/calculators/
in which he redesigned the dc-dc converter board inside the BP-8
with surface-mount components, and even sells them... for $25 plus
$12 postage :(
Guess I'll be using 9V batteries, or perhaps tuck a rechargeable
one (which is really only 8.4 volts) inside the plastic case with
a suitable diode and resistor for charging from the wall-wart.